Door-closing apparatus.



W. DUGGAN, JE- DOOR CLOSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION nun 821mm, 1010.

Patented May 14, 1912.

h .A# M 7 m m w m 5 1 M o y 1 COLUMBIA VLANOGIIAI'II 50-. WASIIINGMN, D.C

W. -DUGGAN, JR.

DOOR CLOSING APPARATUS. APPLICATION mum SEPT. 10, 1910.

1, O26,1 55. Patented May 14, 1912.

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tion of the closing springs in their casings UNITE il WILLIAM DUGGAN,JR., OF DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND.

DOOR-CLOSING- To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, l/VILLIAMDUGGAN, J r.', a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing atDunedin, New Zealand, have invented new and useful Improvements inDoor-Closing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to door and gate closing apparatus of thekind described in the specification of my application for Letters PatentSerial Number 517188 filed 11th September 1909.

WVith the checking device of the apparatus described in my priorspecification, and with others of similar type, it has been foundimpossible to prevent slamming of the door when opened widely, for thereason that such checking devices, if constructed with a resisting powersufficient to properly check a widely opened door, are so strong as toovercome the impulse given by the closing spring when the door has onlybeen slightly opened, the result being that in the latter case the doorremains a little ajar.

One of the objects of my present invention is to remedy this defect.

It has also been found that when the closing spring is arranged with anend secured at the back of each of the casings attached to the hingeplates, as described in my said specification, the bending to which itis subjected as the door opens tends to strain it and impair itsresiliency.

A further object of my present invention is to remedy this defect.

It has also been found desirable that the apparatus should be capable ofbeing readily dismantled, as for instance when it is desired to removethe door, and my present invention provides means whereby this can beeffected.

Other improvements in the apparatus described in my said priorspecification are also hereinafter described and more particularlypointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, inwhich similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 isa front view of a door-closing apparatus according to my presentinvention. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail secand theconnecting chain. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the means for securing theremovable chamber to the hinge leaf. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectionalview on a larger Specification of Letters Patent.

APPARATUS.

Patented. May 14,1912.

Application filed September 10, 1910. Serial No. 581,384.

scale of the checking device. Fig. 6 is a view of the adjusting washerof the checking device. Fig. 7 is an edge view of an alternative form ofadjusting washer, and Fig. 8 is a face view of the same.

According to this present invention there are the two hinge-leaves (2)(2) adapted to be secured to the hinge-post and the door respectivelyand preferably of the type provided with a removable hinge-pin (2") tofacilitate removal of the door to which the leaf (2) is secured. Thereis a threaded hole (1) (see Figs. 1 and 5) in the hingeleaf (2) that isto be fitted to the hinge-post, behind which hole (1) extends the casing(3) for the checking device, this casing (3) being preferably formedintegral with the hinge-leaf (2) and having an open rear end providedwith a removable closure cap 1) that is adapted to be screwed thereon.The cap 1) is fitted with a central air-valve consisting of a shortscrew (18) screwed in a hole in the cap and having a central hole (22)in it communicating with the interior of the casing (3). A nut (19) isscrewed on the end of the screw (18) that projects within the casing(23) and has a horizontal pivot pin (20) at its upper end from whichhangs a valve (21) of leather, which permits the ingress of air throughthe hole (22) but prevents the escape of air outward. A plunger (5)having its rear portion threaded works within the casing (3), itssocketed front end projecting through a central hole in the threadedplug (6) which is screwed into the threaded hole (1) in the hinge leafThis plug ((5) has a rearward extension or flange (7 projecting withinthe casing and embracing a portion of the plunger (5) shown in Fig. 5.This plug and the plunger (5) are preferably made of gun metal. Thesocketed front end of the plunger (5) is fitted with a plug (8) of cork,rubber or the like as in my said prior specification Number 517188. Onthe threaded portion of the plunger (5) there travels a threaded disk orwasher (9) which has a series of small holes (10) (see Figs. 5 and 6)perforated in its face. The rear end of the plunger (5) has a threadedshank (11) which has screwed up thereon a metal disk (12) and a metalwasher (13) between which is clamped a rubber or leather washer (14)which makes airtight contact with the inside of the casing A nut (16)secures the whole in position on the shank (11), A double volute coiledspring (15) lying behind the washer (13) normally keeps the'plunger (5)thrust forward and protruding through the central hole in the plug (6)as far as is permitted by the washer (9) which bears on the flange (7)of the plug- A series of small holes (17) are formed in the plug (6)around the central hole thereon through which the forward end of theplunger (5) protrudes, so that by means of a nail or the like passedthrough one of the small holes (17) into one of the small holes (10) inthe washer (9) the latter may be held from moving while the outer end ofthe plunger (5) is rotated by hand in order to decrease or in-.

crease the extent to which it protrudes from the casing Figs. 7 and 8illustrate an alternative form of washer (9 formed with radialcorrugations (10 when this form is used similar radial corrugations areformed on the inner rim or face of the extension (7) of the plug (6),which corrugations engage the corrugations on the washer (9 and preventthe latter rotating, so that the plunger (5) can be turned as desired toadjust it. The plunger is adjusted by the means before describedaccording to the weight of the door to be closed, in such a way thatwhen the door, under the influence of the closing spring, hereinafterdescribed, first strikes the plug (8) at the end of the plunger (5) itdoes so rather at the side thereof, so that the peripheral side of theplunger opposite the point of impact is momentarily jammed against thesurface of the hole in the plug (6), and this checks the door fromslamming violently. As soon as the momentary jam is automaticallyrelieved the closing is completed gently against the infiuence of thecoiled spring (15) in the plunger casing (3), and the compressed airtherein, which is prevented from escaping by the leather flap (21)closing the hole (22) in the cap (4) of the casing There are a pluralityof longitudinal grooves formed in the interior surface of the casing (3)and so arranged that the rear end of the plunger (5) must be nearly atthe back of the casing (3), the air therein being consequently greatlycompressed, before the forward ends of the grooves (23) come in front ofthe rubber disk (14). As soon as this happens the air escapes along thegrooves (23) and through the holes (10) (17). When the air has thusescaped, the next opening of the door allows the plunger (5) to emergefrom the casing (3) and air enters the rear end of the latter throughthe hole (22) in the screw (18).

The door-closing means instead of consisting of a coiled spring havingits ends attached respectively at the back of its casings as in my saidprior specification Number 517,188 consists of a length of roller chain(24) (see Figs. 1 and 3) having the rollers (25) enlarged so as toproject beyond the links for easy running; the rear ends of the casings(26) (27) are made open, and one end (28) of the chain is secured to adisk (29) which slides within one casing (26) while the other end (30)of the chain has a threaded pin (31) connected toit on which is anotherdisk (32) which slides in the other casing (27) and is secured on thepin by a nut The holes (34) .-(35) in the hinge leaves (2) (2*) 'respectively that open into the casings (26) (27 are made smaller in diameterthan the latter, thereby forming flanges, between which and the disks atthe end of the chain respectively are two coiled springs (37) (38) onein each casing. The holes (34) (35) are rectangular inshape so that thechain cannot turn. When the door is opened the springs are compressed toa degree which is adjustable by the manipulation of the nut (33).

In order to facilitate the removal of the door, the casing (26) on thehinge leaf (2) that is fixed to the hinge post, is not made integralwith the hinge leaf (2) as the other casing (27 is with respect to thehinge leaf (2 but this casing (26) is made with a flanged outer end (39)the rear face (40) of which is beveled to fit a corresponding holecountersunk in the hinge leaf An annular groove (41) is formed aroundthe neck of the casing (26) at its junction with its fiangedend (39) andthis groove (41) is adapted to be engaged by the semi-circular centralportion (42) of a twisted metal plate (see Fig. 4) acting as a spring,one end (43) of which is secured by screws (44) to the back of the hingeleaf (2) while its upper end (45) is fixed to the inner end (46) of apush rod (47) having a thumbpiece (48) at its outer end adapted toproject within the room through a suitable opening in the door-framewhen the apparatus is fixed in position. The push rod. slides in lugs(49) (51) fixed on'the back of the hinge leaf (2) and has a collar (50)fixed on it. A spring (52) is coiled around the rod (47 between thecollar (50) and the lug and tends to keep the push rod (47) normallythrust outward. The spring piece 42) normally engages the groove (41) inthe neck of the casing (26) and holds the latter in position, but onpushing in the thumb-piece (48) the spring piece (42) is disengaged fromthe groove (41) and allows the casing (26) and its attachments to bedrawn out and away from the hinge leaf (2) so that on removing the hingepin (2 the door can readily be removed without entirely dismantling theclosing apparatus. Two screws (68) (69) (see Fig.

1) are fitted in holes on the opposite leaf (2) which screws arenormally screwed in fiush with the surface of the hinge plate (2) butwhen it is desired to replace the casing (26) after same has beenremoved as before described, these screws (68) (69) are unscrewed sothat their heads project from the surface of the leaf (2) and when thedoor is closed push the casing (26) back into its proper position, afterwhich the screws are screwed up fiush again.

The latch (53) to hold the door open in desired position is of the kinddescribed in my said prior specification Number 517,188, but has theseries of shoulders or notches (54) on its upper edge undercut as shown,and it normally hangs about horizontal so as to pass freely through theslot (55) in the opposite hinge leaf (2). Its rear end is pivoted by apin (56) on a small bracket (57) attached to the back of the hinge-leaf(2). A lever (58) having a flat portion is pivoted on the back of thehinge leaf (2) by a pin (59) so that its point (60) lies under the buttend of the latch (53) but in front of the pivot thereof. \Vhen it isdesired to keep the door open at a desired position, the lever (58), aportion of which projects from the door within the room, is depressedwhen the appropriate notch on the upper surface of the latch (53) isabout to pass through the slot (55) in the hinge leaf (2) as the doorcloses. This tilts up the latch and causes the notch to engage theinclined face of a spring buffer (61) carried on the end of a rod (62)which slides in lugs (68 (6 1) fixed on the casing (3), a spring (65)being coiled around the rod (62) between the lug (64) and a collar (67)fixed on the rod (62). A collar (66) fixed on the rear end of the rod(62) is so arranged that the lower and foremost edge of the inclinedface of the buffer (61) is normally flush with the face of the hingeplate (2) and the line of movement of the rod 62 tangent to the path ofmovement of the member 52. WVhen the latch (53) has been tilted asbefore described the shoulder thereof impinges on the buffer (61) whichyields before it so as to prevent jar and straining of the door, andalso supports the latch so as to keep the door open, but the door may bemanually closed by pushing hard, which causes the latch (53) owing toits curved shape to pass the buffer (61) which yields before it. As soonas'the door is opened wider the latch (53) drops by gravity into itsnormal position.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination, a hinge-post, a door hungto said hinge-post by a hinge having two leaves, means for closing saiddoor auton'latically when it has opened, a latch 53 having a notchedsurface pivoted at one end on one leaf and adapted to enter a slotformed in the other leaf, a spring buffer 61 lying with its front end inthe upper part of said slot, and means 58 for setting said latch so asto cause its notched surface to pass below or engage said buffer.

2. In combination, a hinge-post, a door hinged to said post by a hingehaving two leaves, means for closing said door automatically when; ithas opened, a curved latch 53, provided with a plurality of notches,pivoted at one end to one leaf and adapted to enter a slot formed in theother leaf, a buffer 61 normally lying with its front end in the path ofmovement of said latch and displaceable in a line tangent thereto, andmechanism 65 for retaining said buffer in a normal position butyieldable relative to movement of the door responsive to the said firstmentioned means for retarding movement thereof, and responsive to manualclosing of said door,per mitting the front end of said buffer to beforced in a tangential direction sutliciently to allow the said latch topass thereby.

3. In combination, a hinge post, a door hinged to said hinge-post by ahinge having two leaves, means for closing said door automatically whenit has opened, a curved latch 53 provided with a notch, pivoted at oneend to one leaf, and adapted to enter a slot formed in the other leaf, abuffer 61 normally lying with its front end in the path of movement ofsaid latch for engagement with said notch, and displaceable in a linetangent thereto, and mechanism 65 for retaining said buffer in a normalposition, but yieldable relative to movement of the door responsive tosaid first mentioned means for retarding movement thereof, andresponsive to manual closing of said door, permitting the front end ofsaid buffer to be forced in a tangential direction sntliciently to allowthe said latch to pass thereby.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM DUGGAN, JnNn.

\Vitnesses:

ANDREW JOHN PARK, JOHN Ru'rrrnnrono PARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, hy addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

